France Vows to Prevent Israeli Strike on Lebanon's Infrastructure
23/01/2010
By Thair Abbas and Michel Abu Najm
http://aawsat.com/english/news.asp?section=1&id=19622

Beirut and Paris, Asharq Al-Awsat - Well-informed Lebanese sources confirmed
to Asharq Al-Awsat that French President Nicolas Sarkozy informed Lebanese
officials that France has vowed to try to prevent Israel from bombarding
Lebanon’s basic infrastructure “but no more than that.” Sarkozy stressed to
Lebanese officials that it was imperative to “control the internal situation
in Lebanon and prevent any provocations.”

A parliament member from the Future bloc, which is headed by Lebanese Prime
Minister Saad al Hariri, revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that al Hariri, through
his international and Arab ties, was trying to form a safety net to prevent
an Israeli attack.

The Lebanese MP highlighted that Hezbollah should not provide Israel with
any pretexts for launching an assault on Lebanon. He also referred to the
efforts exerted by Saudi Arabia and other countries towards the US
administration to pressure Israel not to attack Lebanon.

Future MP Okab Saqr told Asharq Al-Awsat that the endeavours of Lebanese
Prime Minister Saad al Hariri aim to strengthen the Lebanese internal state.

Following his meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris,
Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al Hariri said that Lebanon supports the French
initiative to hold a peace conference in Paris. He added that both he and
the French President are tackling the “challenges” the region is currently
facing. He quoted the French President as saying that he is willing to take
concrete steps in this regard.

Concerning Lebanon’s demands to provide arms to its military, al Hariri
quoted Sarkozy as saying that France is willing to assist Lebanon in all
fields, alluding to Lebanon’s right to obtain the weapons it needs.